The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first (known) European to come to New Zealand (Aotearoa), which he named Staten Landt, and he first encountered it on 13 December 1642.

[1] Significant coal deposits have been found in the Paparoa Range,[2] with the Blackball Branch/Roa Incline and the Rewanui Branch railways built to provide access to the mines.

[4] Two Grey Valley residents, Trevor Johnston and Kevin Dash, became the first people to traverse the length of the Paparoa Ranges from north to south in mid-1986.

[5] Numerous species of flora and fauna are found in the Paparoa Range, as well as lower slopes and valleys below.

Many of the named peaks commemorate scientists, with this theme started by Julius von Haast.